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THE LION KING EXTENDS THROUGH DEC. 2011 in LAS VEGAS

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DISNEY’S HIT MUSICAL,
THE LION KING AT MANDALAY BAY,
EXTENDS 14 MORE MONTHS –
THROUGH DECEMBER 2011

The Production Named “Best Show” by the Las Vegas Review-Journal
Will Play Its Final Performance on December 30, 2011
After 31 Smash Months and Over 1000 Performances

LAS VEGAS (Wednesday, October 27, 2010) – Disney’s award-winning
Broadway phenomenon THE LION KING has extended its engagement at
Mandalay Bay Theatre by 14 months through December 30, 2011.  Already
seen by nearly 800,000 people to date, the production named “Best Show”
in the Las Vegas Review-Journal’s annual “Best of Las Vegas” awards will
have played 31 smash months and over 1000 performances at the
conclusion of its run.  Apart from the still-running Broadway
production, this marks the longest run of the show in any US city,
eclipsing even the record-breaking 27 month Los Angeles engagement,
which concluded in 2003.

THE LION KING immediately established itself as one of the most
critically-acclaimed productions in the history of Las Vegas when it
opened in May 2009.   Las Vegas Magazine, noting that it has raised the
cultural bar on The Strip, declared it, “the pride of Las Vegas…THE LION
KING transcends cultural boundaries and the limits of the imagination.”
 The Las Vegas Review-Journal hailed the production as “innovative and
gorgeous” while a follow up review declared it, “the best New York
import I've seen on The Strip.”  The Las Vegas Sun raved, “a dazzling
dramatic enterprise and an emotionally gripping triumph” while CityLife
called it simply, “flat-out brilliant.”

Proving equally popular with audiences, THE LION KING broke the Mandalay
Bay box office record just weeks after it opened and went on to break
its own record four more times.   The extension allows Disney and
Mandalay Bay to meet continued ticket demand for the next 14 months
while allowing elements of the physical production to be committed to
upcoming new productions of the show.  2011 engagements include stands
in Montreal, Toronto and Providence, RI.

“We are proud beyond measure of the way that Las Vegas has embraced The
Lion King and we anticipate a strong final 14 months of performances,
given the continued strengthening in the Vegas economy,” said Thomas
Schumacher, Producer and President Disney Theatrical Productions.  “We
look forward to opening two new productions in the coming year – one in
Singapore next March and another international production we’ll be
announcing soon.”

Bill Hornbuckle, Chief Marketing Office for MGM Resorts International,
said, “You need only to stand outside the theater at the conclusion of
the show to get a sense for how beloved this production of The Lion King
is.  We’re thrilled that the cast and crew will be part of our family
for another year.”

Around the world, The Lion King continues ascendant in its 13th year.
For three of the show’s seven productions, the fiscal year just ended
was the highest grossing ever in their respective lives: Hamburg,
Germany in year nine; London, which just passed its 11th anniversary;
and the flagship New York production, approaching its 13th anniversary
with a momentum unprecedented this deep into any Broadway run.

For Las Vegas, Disney hand-selected an international cast of performers
who have won acclaim in productions of THE LION KING across the globe,
including Broadway, Taipei, South Africa, London, Los Angeles,
Australia, Toronto, Shanghai, Paris and Holland.

Mandalay Bay’s production of THE LION KING is the acclaimed full-length
version seen around the globe and is staged with all of the same
spectacular music, sets, and costumes that have made it a cultural
phenomenon, reaching more than 50 million people in 13 countries. In
addition to Las Vegas and the landmark Broadway production, THE LION
KING also can be seen on stages across North America, in London’s West
End and in Hamburg, Paris and Tokyo. In March 2011, a sit down
production will open in Singapore – a first for Disney Theatrical
Productions.

At Mandalay Bay, the show is performed Tuesday through Friday evenings
at 7:30 p.m. with weekend shows at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.  For more
information, please visit www.lionkinglasvegas.com

Jim Hill is an entertainment writer who has specialized in covering The Walt Disney Company for nearly 40 years now. Over that time, he has interviewed hundreds of animators, actors, and Imagineers -- many of whom have shared behind-the-scenes stories with Mr. Hill about how the Mouse House really works. In addition to the 4000+ articles Jim has written for the Web, he also co-hosts a trio of popular podcasts: “Disney Dish with Len Testa,” “Fine Tooning with Drew Taylor” and “Marvel US Disney with Aaron Adams.” Mr. Hill makes his home in Southern New Hampshire with his lovely wife Nancy and two obnoxious cats, Ginger & Betty.

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News & Press Releases

Disney Will Bring D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event to Anaheim, California in August 2024

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Expanded Disney Fan Experience Will Feature New and Exciting Events Across Multiple Locations, Including a D23 Takeover of the Happiest Place On Earth, Evening Entertainment at the Honda Center, D23 Day at Angel Stadium, and Much More

Fan Favorites Including Exhibits, Panels, Shows, and Shopping Will Dazzle Disney Enthusiasts at the Anaheim Convention Center

D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event is a one-of-a-kind fan experience like never before with spectacular shows, new venues, and multiple days of entertainment that will bring together the best of Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and more!

Highlightswill include:

  • Sunday, August 4: D23 Day at Angel Stadium, where D23 fans are invited to attend the Los Angeles Angels vs. New York Mets game. 
  • Thursday, August 8: D23 kickoff celebration at Disneyland Resort.
  • Friday, August 9 – Sunday, August 11: Shopping, exhibits, panels, and presentations will take place at the Anaheim Convention Center during the day, with the fun extending into the evening at the Honda Center, the bigger home to marquee shows.

Tickets for D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event will go on sale in Spring 2024, with ticketing options to be announced later for access to the Anaheim Convention Center and the Honda Center. Admission for D23 Day at Angel Stadium and the D23 kickoff celebration at Disneyland Resort will be available as separate ticketed events. Additional details for D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event will be announced in early 2024.

You can get updates by staying connected to D23 via social media (@DisneyD23 on FacebookInstagramX), D23.com, and our weekly D23 FanFare email (sign up for free as a D23 General Member at JoinD23.com).

About D23

The name “D23” pays homage to the exciting journey that began in 1923 when Walt Disney opened his first studio in Hollywood. D23 is the first official club for fans in Disney’s nearly 100-year history. It gives its members a greater connection to the entire world of Disney by placing them in the middle of the magic year-round through its quarterly publication, Disney twenty-three; the latest news and stories on D23.com; member-exclusive offers and discounts; the popular D23 Inside Disney podcast; and special experiences for D23 Members throughout the year.

Fans can join D23 at Gold Membership ($99.99/year), Gold Duo Membership ($129.99/year), and General Membership (complimentary) levels at D23.com. To keep up with all the latest D23 news and events, follow DisneyD23 on Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, and YouTube.

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Star Wars Spoof: Space Robots in Outer Space Ep X: Battle for the Halcyon: The Last Starcruiser

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Sure, Star Wars is cool and all. But let’s not forget about that other multi-part sci-fi cinematic spectacular, “Space Robots in Outer Space.” In fact, Hank Lonely (Hollywood’s ultimate hyphenate — actor / producer / director / writer / guy who makes sure the Porto Potties are kept squeaky-clean) just announced that there’ll soon be a 10th installment of this … Well, not exactly beloved. How about we say “admired from afar” instead? … series coming to a theater near you. In fact, here’s the highly anticipated teaser trailer for that project. Which is supposed to be titled “Space Robots in Outer Space X — Battle for the Halycon: The Last Starcruiser.”

Okay. Now the real story … In honor of Star Wars Day (i.e., May 4th. As in “May the Fourth Be With You”), Len Testa and I are sharing something that we produced with the help of all the nice folks who joined us last month aboard the Halycon.

We turned the Galactic Starcruiser as well as Black Spire Outpost into the backdrop for an affectionate send-up of all things Stars Wars. We hope that you (more importantly, the legal team at Lucasfilm) take this faux trailer in the spirit with which it was intended. Special thanks to Aaron Adams for so skillfully stitching all of this footage together. Also thanks to the team at Storybook Destinations, Touring Plans and the talented cast & crew aboard the “Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser” for making this “Disney Dish” fan event so memorable.

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Disney’s New Trailer Reveals How Ralph & Vanellope Get to the Internet in “Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2”

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Wreck-It Ralph 2

When “Wreck-It Ralph” opened on Nov. 2, 2012, it turned in the highest opening weekend ever for a Walt Disney Animation Studios film at the time of release. Now Disney is hoping Ralph will not only break the Internet but the 2018 Thanksgiving boxoffice records as well.

The film re-teams the original director, producer and co-writer behind “Wreck-It Ralph.”  The screenplay is currently being written by Phil Johnston and Pamela Ribon. Director Rich Moore, producer Clark Spencer, and co-writer Phil Johnston partnered with fellow director Byron Howard and co-writer/co-director Jared Bush to create the Academy Award®-winning blockbuster feature “Zootopia.”

ROYAL REUNION – In “Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck It Ralph 2,” Vanellope von Schweetz-along with her best friend Ralph-ventures into the uncharted world of the internet. When she finds herself surrounded by Disney princesses, she’s surprised to learn that she actually has a lot in common with them. The scene, highlighted in a new trailer for the film (below), features several of the original princess voices, including Auli’i Cravalho (“Moana”), Kristen Bell (Anna in “Frozen”), Idina Menzel (Elsa in “Frozen”), Kelly MacDonald (Merida in “Brave”), Mandy Moore (Rapunzel in “Tangled”), Anika Noni Rose (Tiana in “The Princess and the Frog”), Ming-Na Wen (“Mulan”), Irene Bedard (“Pocahontas”), Linda Larkin (Jasmine in “Aladdin”), Paige O’Hara (Belle in “Beauty and the Beast”) and Jodi Benson (Ariel in “The Little Mermaid”). Featuring Sarah Silverman as the voice of Vanellope, “Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck It Ralph 2” opens in theaters nationwide Nov. 21, 2018. 

 

“RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET: WRECK-IT RALPH 2”

WALT DISNEY ANIMATION STUDIOS

https://disney.com/ralphbreakstheinternet

https://www.youtube.com/user/disneyanimation

https://www.facebook.com/WreckItRalph/

https://twitter.com/wreckitralph

https://www.instagram.com/wreckitralph/

 

U.S. Release Date:  Nov. 21, 2018

Voice cast: John C. Reilly, Sarah Silverman, Taraji P. Henson, Jack McBrayer, Jane Lynch, Alan Tudyk

Directors: Rich Moore, Phil Johnston

Producer: Clark Spencer

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